North London Solicitors

SMALL BUSINESS LAW FIRM NORTH LONDON

North London Services for Small Businesses and Start-ups

Common legal issues for small businesses and start-ups

We provide a convenient one-stop shop for legal services for small businesses and start-ups alike in North London. All legal advice and services provided have a common theme. The advice needs to be practical and with an understanding of cost/benefit considerations.

Commercial leases

For many small businesses and start-ups, renting commercial property will form a key part of their business plan and overall expenditure.  However, renting commercial property without legal advice is extremely risky.

We provide fixed fees for many commercial property transactions.  Please get in touch for more details.

Business structure

Sole trader, partnership, limited company or limited liability partnership ?  This is a key question that any start up needs to answer.   The merits and potential disdvantages of each type of business structure:

Sold Trader

Merits – no legal requirements to follow when starting or running the business.

Demerits – risky…you are liable for the business’s debts, which puts your personal assets at risk.

Partnerships

Merits – no legal requirements to follow when starting or running the business.

Demerits – you are jointly and severely liable for the debts of the business, putting personal assets at risk and potentially making you solely responsible for the liabilities.

Limited Company

Merits – less risk involved if you do not trade recklessly.

Drawbacks – you have to follow key legal requirements when setting up and running the business.

Limited Liability Partnership

Merits – less risk involved if you do not trade recklessly.

Drawbacks – you have to follow key legal requirements when setting up and running the business.

Finances

Getting finance is something small businesses and start-ups alike struggle with.  Many lenders will ask for personal guarantees.  Don’t get caught out – seek legal advice on personal guarantees and possible alternatives to funding your business.

Employment law compliance

Just because you run a small business, it does not mean you are exempt from following employment laws if you employ people.

North London solicitors can conduct an audit of your business to pinpoint areas of concern and make sure you are legally compliant.  For this service, and a whole range of other employment law related services, please get in touch for more details.

Import regulations

As the world has become increasingly globalised, overseas markets have become increasingly open to small businesses and start-ups alike.  There are many small businesses out there now importing stock from the Far East (particularly China).

Whilst importing allows many businesses to get good deals and generate significant profits, there are numerous legal pitfalls in importing.  What happens if the goods you receive are of poor quality?  How will you resolve disputes?  How can you minimise the risks inherent in importing?  Do you know how much in taxes you have to pay?

These are key questions that any business importing stock will have to answer and we are here to help provide them.